Speaker support system

ABSTRACT

A speaker support system for ceiling or wall mounting of speakers comprising a combination of a speaker and a rigid elongated metal track carrying a non-conductive sound suppressive support means; elongated electrical conducting means, embedded within the non-conductive sound suppressive support means for transmitting electrical energy from a source and essentially shielded from spurious signals by the rigid elongated metal track and further accessible throughout the length of the rigid elongated metal track for rapid connection and disconnection of suitable connecting devices; a support arm being adapted to carry the speaker, the support arm being slidably engaged with the nonconductive sound suppressive support means; and means electrically connected to such speaker capable of being selectively electrically connected to and disconnected from the electrical conducting means embedded in the non-conductive sound suppressive support means at essentially any position.

United States Patent 11 1 1111 3,911,221

Wong Oct. 7, 1975 SPEAKER SUPPORT SYSTEM [57] I ABSTRACT [76] Inventor: Christopher R. Wong, 3O Carlson A Speaker pp system for Ceiling wall mounting Court, San Anselmo, Calif. 94960 of speakers comprising a combination of a speaker and a ri id elon ated metal track carr in a non- [22] led: 51974 conductiii e sound suppressive support riiea iis; elon- [2l] Appl. No.: 529,951 gated electrical conducting means, embedded within the non-conductive sound suppressive support means for transmitting electrical energy from a source and essentially shielded from spurious signals by the rigid elongated metal track and further accessible throughout the length of the rigid elongated metal track for rapid connection and disconnection of suitable connecting devices; a support arm being adapted to carry 52 U.S. c1... 179/1 R; 179/1 E; 339/21 R 51 int. c1. 1. H04R 1/02 581 Field of Search 179/1 R, 1 E; 240/2 L;

339/21 R, 21 s, 22 R, 22 T; l74/48, 49

[56] References cued the speaker, the support arm being slidably engaged UNITED STATES PATENTS with the non-conductive sound suppressive support 2,798,172 7/1957 Jones 339/22 R means; and means electrically connected to such 3,061,973 ll/l962 Oberdorf 179/] E s eaker capable of being selectively electrically con- FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS nected to and disconnected from the electrical conducting means embedded in the non-conductive sound l,()97,l05 6/1955 France 179/] R suppressive pp means at essentially y pos tion.

Primary Exuminer-Kathleen H. Claffy 10 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures Assistant Examiner-George G. Stellar Attorney, Agent, or FirmPhillips, Moore, Weissenberger Lempio & Strabala US. Patent Oct. 7,1975 Sheet 1 of2 3,911,221

US. Patent Oct. 7,1975

Sheet 2 of 2 SPEAKER SUPPORT SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Multi-channel sound systems presently available on the market require a number of speakers, usually two or four, to be located strategically for optimum sound reception by the user. Wherever located, the user must guard against unwanted transmission of sound vibrations to the surrounding structure through proper sound suppression means. Frequently the user must also shield conductors from adjacent electric circuits to prevent induced noise caused by such circuits. Often the user has a need for relocating such speakers for differing purposes. Existing systems either mounted on walls or ceilings or free standing require a considerable disruption of furnishings, not to mention unsightly holes in walls or ceilings when they are relocated. Further, such systems require electrical connections between the speaker and the amplifier. Such connections are normally in the form of electrical wiring which also requires relocation and possibly new shielding upon moving the speakers.

Means for providing rail mounting of light brackets have been patented in the past; for example, Neumann et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,246,074 and Meltzer U.S. Pat. No. 3,596,226. Neither of these patents faced the problem of the suppression of sound vibrations from a load through the support bracket to the track and finally to the wall or ceiling upon which they are mounted. Further, neither faced the problem of noise in a speaker from induced current being generated in the co-located conductors. Nor did Neumann et al. or Meltzer require more than three conductors to be co-located in the track. Multi-channel sound systems require at least one conductor for each channel and at least one ground for the system but usual systems are constructed with two conductors for each channel, one being a ground.

Other patents: James U.S. Pat. No. 2,041,344; Van Deventer U.S. Pat. No. 2,283,398; Wayne U.S. Pat. No. 2,441,461 and Charap U.S. Pat. No. 2,464,964 disclose various means for providing continuous electric outlets along a baseboard type molding but disclose no support means nor do they provide a sound suppression means, or electrical shielding.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is the object of this invention to provide a ceiling or wall mounted speaker support system for a speaker or a plurality of speakers, and to permit location of any of the speakers at any position along the support means.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a speaker support system which, while fulfilling the above object, provides access to a plurality of conductors throughout its length for the purpose of transmitting electrical energy such as the output of one or more audio amplifiers to a speaker or a plurality of speakers.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a speaker support system which, while fulfilling the above objects, will dampen any sound vibration created by operation of the speakers thereby essentially preventing transmission of sound to the supporting structure.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a speaker support which, while fulfilling the above objects, allows quick connection and disconnection of the speakers to the electrical conductors contained in the support means.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a speaker support system which, while fulfilling the above objects, provides shielding from generation of induced current in the conductors by adjacent electrical wiring thereby reducing unwanted noise from being broadcast by the speakers.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a speaker support system which, while fulfilling the above objects, provides for random directional positioning of the speakers.

Broadly stated, the invention is a speaker in combina tion with rigid elongated metal track member, elongated support means carried by the track member, such support means being non-conductive and soundsuppressive; elongated electrical conducting means embedded along the length of the support means for the purpose of transmitting electrical energy such as the output of audio amplifiers and essentially electronically shielded by the elongated metal track; a support arm slidably engaged within such support means and capable of carrying a speaker and means electronically connected to such speaker capable of being selectively electrically connected to and disconnected from the conducting means embedded in the support means at essentially any position along the support means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification and drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective of a ceiling mounted system according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary rear perspective of the ceiling mounted system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view in cross-section of the track and sup port means of FIG. 1 including a fragmentary showing of a support arm in full;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view in crosssection of the portion of the track of the system of FIG. 1 including a conductor as well as a fragmentary showing of the means for making electrical connection to such conductor;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged top view of the adjustable joint assembly shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the adjustable joint assembly shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a side view showing an example of a positioning of the speaker according to the invention;

FIGS. 8, 9, and 10 show alernate embodiments of the track arrangements.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Shown in FIG. 1 is an overall perspective of three sections of ceiling mounted, rigid elongated metal track members 10, each containing non-conductive sound suppressive support means 11, such support means slidably engaging support arms 12, and such support arms having affixed thereto a speaker 23. I

Shown in FIG. 2 is a rear perspective of the rigid elongated metal track member 10; the support arm 12 and speaker 23. As shown in FIG. 3, the rigid elongated metal track has a U-shape cross section with a support side 40, a closed wall 41, an open wall 42 and a slotted side, comprising flanges 43. The open wall 42 defines elongated openings 21, such elongated openings being interrupted by support webs 22. The rigid elongated metal track member is affixed to a structure 44 such as a ceiling or wall through a plurality of attaching holes 17 located along the support side 40 of the rigid elongated metal track member 10. Attaching devices 18 such as screws or bolts are inserted through the attaching holes 17 and engage with structure 44. The slotted side of the rigid elongated track defines a slot 55 through which support arm 12 passes. and such supporting side comprising flanges 43 integrally connected to the rigid elongated metal track member 10 on one side by closed wall 41 and on the other side by open wall 42. The rigid elongated metal track member 10 may be made from any easily worked metal such as aluminum.

Retained within the rigid elongated metal track member 10 is a non-conductive sound suppressive support means 11 shown in the preferred embodiment as a single piece. Such non-conductive sound-suppressive support means 11 according to the preferred embodiment defines a cavity of essentially circular cross-section. The cavity 20 is open to slot 55 of the rigid elongated track 10, said opening 19 being of lesser dimension than the diameter of the enlarged head 16 of support arm 12. The non-conductive sound-suppressive support means 11 has a recessed groove 33 adjacent to open wall 42 which may have a suitable electrical insulator 45 inserted between support webs 22 and electrical conductors 13. A plurality of electrical conductors 13 comprising a conductor leg 46 and a conductor head 47 are embedded in the non-conductive soundsuppressive suport means 11 as shown in FIG. 4. Such electrical conductors 13 are essentially shielded from induced currents by rigid elongated metal track member 10. One side of each conductor leg 46 defines with the non-conductive sound-suppressive support means 11 an opening 48 in which a suitable electrical connector 14 may be inserted. The electrical connector 14 may consist of a folded spring which, upon insertion, compresses the spring thereby retaining the electrical connector 14 in opening 48. Said electrical connector 14 may be affixed to suitable wiring 49 by a suitable device such as a crimped insulator l5, and may comprise either electrical conductor means 54 connected to the speaker for connection to or disconnection from the conductor 13 or the source leads 53.

Supported by the non-conductive sound-suppressive support means 11 is support arm 12. Support arm 12 comprises an enlarged head 16 shown in the preferred embodiment as a spherical shape. the enlarged head 16 having a larger dimension than openings 19 and 55 yet being of small enough dimension such that support arm 12 with enlarged head 16 may be freely moved along the longitudinal axis of the cavity 20 contained in the non-conductive sound-suppressive support means 11 and further such that support arm 12 may be rotated on its longitudinal axis while enlarged head 16 is so engaged. The opposite end of support arm 12 comprises a joint end 24 shown in the preferred embodiment in FIGS. 5 and 6 as a hemisphere. One face of the joint end defines a first radially notched face 27. Said first radially notched face 27 mates with a second radially notched face 28 defined by mount 49. Mount 49 and joint end 24 are locked together by the radially notched faces 27 and 28 by connecting bolt 25.

Mount 49 has affixed thereto threaded extension 26. Threaded extension 26 is threadably connected to a threaded bore 32 located in flange 29. Threaded extension 26 has threaded on its inward end locking nut 56 for locking speaker 23 in position. Flange 29 defines a plurality of affixing holes 30, through which affixing bolts 31 may be inserted in order to retain speaker 23 on flange 29.

In use, three or more sections of rigid elongated metal track member 10 may be mounted on a ceiling as shown in FIG. 1, two or more sections facing each other, and joined by one or more additional sections at approximately a right angle at joint 50. The meeting ends of the sections of track atjoint 50 in the preferred embodiment, may be cut at a 45 angle. Although not necessary, the cavity 20 of essentially circular crosssection defined by the non-conductive soundsuppressive support means 11 may be enlarged at joint 50 in order to permit free passage through joint 50 of the enlarged end 16 of the support arm 12. Electrical conductors 13 are joined at joint 50 by any suitable means such as a jumper connection or by direct contact. Source leads 53 from a power source such as an amplifier (not shown) are connected at any point along the rigid elongated track 10 to appropriate conductors 13.

Any number of support arms 12 may be slidably positioned along the rigid elongated metal track sections 10 commensurate with the load carrying capacity of structure 44. Such support arms may be rotated about their longitudinal axis while so positioned. The electrical conductor means 54 of speakers 23, may also be connected at any point along the rigid elongated metal track members 10 with the appropriate conductors 13 as shown in FIG. 4.

The speaker 23 may be positioned such that the sound output will be directed in several directions. Such positioning through joint end 24 is shown in FIG. 7 wherein the speaker 23 may be directed in a downward or upward direction. Further positioning may be accomplished by rotating support arm 12, to which speaker 23 is affixed, around the vertical axis subtended from enlarged head 16. Further, speaker 23 may be rotated about threaded extension 26 and locked in position by locking nut 56. Alternatively, sections of rigid elongated metal track 10 may be mounted on a wall in the manner described above. In this alternate mounting configuration positioning of the speaker 23 as described above will be limited by the system and structure as the speaker 23 and the support arm 12 are no longer hanging freely.

Representative alternate embodiments showing different arrangements of the rigid elongated metal track members are shown in FIGS. 8, 9, and 10. FIG. 8 shows one section of rectilinear track, FIGS. 9 and I0 show arrangements of quarter sections of curvilinear track. FIG. 10 is particularly appropriate to a four channel sound system. In such a four channel sound system the number of conductors embedded in the rigid elongated track will be at least five if random location of the speakers is desired, else two sections of two channel track may feed two speakers and the other two sections of two channel track may feed the other two speakers with electrical insulation interposed between the semicircular pairs of track.

Various other combinations of rectilinear and curvilinear track sections may also be assembled.

The non-conductive sound-suppressive support means 11 shown in the preferred embodiment as filling the rigid elongated metal track member may, in an alternate embodiment, comprise two members, one member having conductors l3 embedded therein, and with the other member and the rigid elongated metal track defining a cavity in which enlarged end 16 of support arm 13, which need not be of spherical shape, may be slidably engaged.

What is claimed is:

l. A speaker support system comprising in combination:

a. a speaker;

b. an elongated rigid metal track member;

0. elongated non-conductive sound-suppressive support means carried by said elongated rigid metal track member;

d. elongated electrical conducting means embedded within said non-conductive sound-suppressive support means and accessible therefrom for electrical connection and disconnection;

e. a support arm slidably and rotatably engaged at one end with said non-conductive soundsuppressive support means and having affixed by joint means at the other end the speaker; and

f. means electrically connected to such speaker capable of being electrically connected to and disconnected from the elongated electrical conducting means.

2. The system set forth in claim 1 wherein the joint means affixing the speaker to the support arm comprises an adjustable joint means such that when in combination with rotation of the support arm said speaker may be faced in any direction.

3. The system set forth in claim 1 wherein the elongated rigid metal track member further comprises means for shielding the elongated electrical conducting means embedded within the non-conductive soundsuppressive support means from induced current.

4. The system set forth in claim 1 wherein the elongated electrical conducting means embedded within the non-conductive sound-suppressive support means further comprises means for conducting electrical energy from a source throughout the length of said nonconductive sound-suppressive support means.

5. The system as set forth in claim 4 wherein the elongated electrical conducting means further comprises in combination with the non-conductive soundsuppressive support means electrical connection means for electrical connection and disconnection of electrical energy from a power source such electrical connection means accessible through a plurality of openings along the length of the elongated rigid metal track.

6. The system as set forth in claim 5 wherein the electrical connection means further comprises electrical connection means for selective electrical connection and disconnection of the means electrically connected to the speaker.

7. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the support arm slidably engaged at one end with the nonconductive sound-suppressive support means may be positioned at any point along the length of the nonconductive sound-suppressive support means.

8. The system as set forth in claim 5 wherein the elongated rigid metal track member comprises an elongated rigid metal track member having a cross section of U- shape and further having a plurality of holes along a closed side to receive fastening means, said fastening means to affix the elongated rigid metal track member to a structure.

9. The system as set forth in claim 8 wherein the elongated rigid metal track member of U-shape cross section further comprises an elongated rigid metal track of rectilinear shape.

10. The system as set forth in claim 8 wherein the elongated rigid metal track member of U-shape cross section further comprises an elongated rigid metal track of curvilinear shape defining an arc of approximately 

1. A speaker support system comprising in combination: a. a speaker; b. an elongated rigid metal track member; c. elongated non-conductive sound-suppressive support means carried by said elongated rigid metal track member; d. elongated electrical conducting means embedded within said non-conductive sound-suppressive support means and accessible therefrom for electrical connection and disconnection; e. a support arm slidably and rotatably engaged at one end with said non-conductive sound-suppressive support means and having affixed by joint means at the other end the speaker; and f. means electrically connected to such speaker capable of being electrically connected to and disconnected from the elongated electrical conducting means.
 2. The system set forth iN claim 1 wherein the joint means affixing the speaker to the support arm comprises an adjustable joint means such that when in combination with rotation of the support arm said speaker may be faced in any direction.
 3. The system set forth in claim 1 wherein the elongated rigid metal track member further comprises means for shielding the elongated electrical conducting means embedded within the non-conductive sound-suppressive support means from induced current.
 4. The system set forth in claim 1 wherein the elongated electrical conducting means embedded within the non-conductive sound-suppressive support means further comprises means for conducting electrical energy from a source throughout the length of said non-conductive sound-suppressive support means.
 5. The system as set forth in claim 4 wherein the elongated electrical conducting means further comprises in combination with the non-conductive sound-suppressive support means electrical connection means for electrical connection and disconnection of electrical energy from a power source such electrical connection means accessible through a plurality of openings along the length of the elongated rigid metal track.
 6. The system as set forth in claim 5 wherein the electrical connection means further comprises electrical connection means for selective electrical connection and disconnection of the means electrically connected to the speaker.
 7. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the support arm slidably engaged at one end with the non-conductive sound-suppressive support means may be positioned at any point along the length of the non-conductive sound-suppressive support means.
 8. The system as set forth in claim 5 wherein the elongated rigid metal track member comprises an elongated rigid metal track member having a cross section of U-shape and further having a plurality of holes along a closed side to receive fastening means, said fastening means to affix the elongated rigid metal track member to a structure.
 9. The system as set forth in claim 8 wherein the elongated rigid metal track member of U-shape cross section further comprises an elongated rigid metal track of rectilinear shape.
 10. The system as set forth in claim 8 wherein the elongated rigid metal track member of U-shape cross section further comprises an elongated rigid metal track of curvilinear shape defining an arc of approximately 90*. 